Community & Business
27 May, 2026
Council's delivery program and draft budgets on display
Gilgandra Shire Council has placed its draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan, and associa
Contributed
Gilgandra Shire Council has placed its draft delivery program and operational plan, and associated budget for the 2026/27 financial year on public exhibition and is inviting residents to Have Your Say.
The budget reflects an overall forecast surplus of $3,487,793 after depreciation is deducted. The operational expenditure budget will see $43,947,529 spent on services for the community. The total forecast expenditure budget inclusive of capital works is $91,721,452.
The documents have been prepared after extensive workshops with councillors and council’s executive leadership team over the previous months.
GSC mayor Doug Batten says the capital works program is aspirational, “Council is excited to forecast a total capital works budget of $39,307,128, along with $43,947,529 towards services for the community for the 26/27 financial year. The budget includes major infrastructure, activation and strategic projects that will have great community benefits, both now, and for future generations, promoting Gilgandra as a vibrant region with resilient and innovative infrastructures that capitalise on opportunities for economic growth.”
The budget shows council aspirations of growing the Gilgandra Region towards a population of 5000, while ensuring our valuable services for the community continue. The critical infrastructure for growth supports this, and planning for challenges faced such as housing, health, road network, and technology and community resilience.
Major Capital Works 2026/27 (includes but is not limited to):
• New Sewerage Treatment Work ($28.5 million)
Construction of a new sewerage treatment plant, pump station and mains renewals. Decommission and demolition of existing.
Gilgandra Recreational Centre Planning/Design – Stage One ($8 million)
The sum of $8,000,000 is offset by $7,000,000 in funding from the region precincts and partnerships program, with council’s commitment of $1,000,000. The project is in master planning phase.
• Development of Industrial Land Subdivision ($4.5 million)
Development of additional industrial land to meet current and future trade demands.
• Major IT upgrades ($1.15 million)
Implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) business management software that integrates the council’s core operations such as finance, rates property and procurement.
• Plant ($1.37 million)
Planned replacement of major plant, vehicles and key equipment across council’s fleet.
• Warren Road Medical Precinct ($800,000)
The cost to refit the old library building into a new medical centre will be $1,433,438. The $800,000 reflects the 2026/27 commitment to complete the project which commenced in 25/26.
• RFS Shed for Deep Creek ($550,000)
This is a replacement of the existing Rural Fire Service Deep Creek Station.
• Reticulated Water Supply ($516,000)
For various upgrades, replacements and renewals throughout the Tooraweenah and Gilgandra water supply systems.
• Additional Rural Road Renewals ($$320,790)
Additional capital renewals of council's road network set aside for this purpose on an annual basis.
• Road Works Program ($6.05 million)
Which includes but is not limited to, Leeches Creek Road widening ($1,619,835), Milpulling Road widening ($600,000) and a further two kilometre sealing of Tooraweenah-Mendooran Road $640,000.
Mayor Doug Batten said council is very excited to see the construction of the new sewerage treatment plant, which is replacing a very dated 1960s model treatment plant.
"This is a marque project which will commence in 26/27 and conclude in 27/28. In pursuit of reaching a shire population of 5000, the Towards 5000 strategy will also see the construction of a further industrial subdivision to the value of $4.5 million, which will see the provision of fully serviced large scale industrial land to meet the future needs for industries for well into the future. Detailed Planning and design works will be undertaken for the Gilgandra Recreation Centre project located at Hunter Park.”
There are proposed increases to council’s fees and charges in line with the NSW Government's Rate Pegging Legislation and Best Practice Pricing, ensuring council can continue to deliver these services and support ongoing maintenance and asset renewal into the future.
Council has also increased the allocation for Rural Road maintenance to $2,159,697.
2026/27 Rates and Charges
• General Rates
The total General Rates that will be levied by council in 2026/27 will be
$6,310,180 prior to concessions, which is an increase of 3.5 per cent in line with rate pegging legislation. This equates to an additional $213,388 in income for 2026/27 compared to the 2025/26 year.
All rating categories (being farmland, residential and business) have had the increase applied evenly. Ratepayers’ individual accounts will vary according to any changes in land valuations.
• Water and Sewer Charges
Council water charges for the Gilgandra Township and the Tooraweenah village have been increased by five per cent. Council’s sewer charges for the Gilgandra Township have increased by seven per cent. The increases in the Township water and sewerage charges reflects the costs to replace ageing infrastructure.
• Waste Management Charges
Council annual domestic waste, commercial waste and other waste charges for the Gilgandra Township have increased by 3.5 per cent. The rural waste charge increases to $25 per assessment. Along with the proposed increased fees and charges for waste delivered to the waste facility, these increases are required for the continued operations and future projects at the Gilgandra Waste Facility.
• Stormwater Charge
The stormwater charge for the Gilgandra township has not increased and remains at $25 per rating assessment.
“Council has committed to a broad range of renewal works and new road projects, providing improved access to users of the local road network, as well as major infrastructure. This long-term focus ensures the community is in the best position to benefit from future growth within the Gilgandra Region," said mayor Batten.
“What’s most pleasing about this budget is that council is able to deliver a wide program of works, whilst maintaining the valuable services our community has come to expect.”
“It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the proposed new waste fees and charges included within the draft budget. These proposed changes reflect a transition toward a user-pays approach, where those generating waste contribute more directly to the cost of managing it. Waste management costs continue to increase, and under legislation, all funds collected through waste charges can only be used for waste management activities and services.
"The Gilgandra Waste Facility is approaching a significant transition point, with the current landfill cell expected to reach capacity within the next four-five years. Planning for future operations, including transitioning to above-ground landfill, requires considerable investment in infrastructure, equipment and long-term planning. While these proposed changes may not be welcomed by everyone, they are intended to help ensure council can continue providing a sustainable local waste service into the future, rather than passing even greater costs on to the community down the track.”
Mayor Batten acknowledged the work that has been put into the strategic planning and budgeting process.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank both councillors and staff for their efforts in developing this delivery program and operational plan, and budget together by way of workshops over a number of months in the lead up to the preparation of the draft documents.”
“I should point out that while council is budgeting for a surplus overall of $3,487,793, this forecast result of heavily influenced by improved financial results in the aged care, water and sewer funds. In the general operation fund, council is forecasting a $455,539 surplus.
I’m pleased to advise the community that council continues to operate in a financially sustainable manner, meeting all of its local government specific financial benchmarking ratios.”
The draft plans are currently on public exhibition and will close mid-next month. The draft documents will guide council’s activities over the next 12 months and demonstrate how council will achieve the objectives and vision of its Community Strategic Plan.
• Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan and Budget 2026/27
• Draft Long Term Financial Plan 26/27 – 2035/36
These documents are available in electronic format and can be downloaded from council’s website. Residents are encouraged to provide feedback.
